RALEIGH, NC, Feb 18, 2026 – The Siemens Foundation has launched Careers Electric, a national workforce initiative focused on expanding access to electrical training. The program creates pathways into careers across energy, healthcare manufacturing, and infrastructure. Careers Electric prepares students and workers with technical, digital, and safety skills required in today’s skilled trades market.
Data centers, AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and new energy projects are accelerating electrification across the U.S. economy. Demand for skilled electricians is rising as critical infrastructure expands. The U.S. will need 130,000 additional electricians by 2030 to sustain industry growth and energy independence. Careers Electric focuses on training workers to meet this demand.
Backed by a $9.25 million investment from the Siemens Foundation, Careers Electric launches in North Carolina with support from state leaders, education institutions, and national workforce groups. Partners include North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), the North Carolina Community College Foundation (NCCCF) and System (NCCCS), Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech), Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP), the Families and Workers Fund (FWF) and other North Carolina employers. The initiative will expand electrical training capacity, update curriculum focused on emerging technologies, and create pathways from high school and apprenticeships to community college credentials and specialized electrical programs. The program aims to train 25,000 people in the first 10 years.
“For years we’ve heard about the widening skills gap and growing worker shortages in skilled trades,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Careers Electric provides a model to solve this – validating the solution in one state, then working together to scale it nationwide. Careers Electric is about opening doors to high-demand, high-impact electrical careers that offer purpose-driven work, financial security, and a strong foothold in the middle class. Together, we will ensure innovation creates opportunities for workers across America and benefits individuals, families, and communities.”
“North Carolina’s strong workforce ecosystem, business-friendly climate, and surging demand for electrification position our state to lead the nation in building the skilled electrical workforce of the future,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “As our energy, technology, and manufacturing sectors expand, this partnership opens the door for more North Carolinians to access high-quality training and secure good-paying careers that support families and strengthen our economy.”
“America’s electrification and energy needs are outpacing the supply of skilled electrical workers,” said Ann Fairchild, Interim president and CEO of Siemens USA. “With Careers Electric, the Siemens Foundation is addressing this need with a coalition of stakeholders, recognizing that we can make a more powerful impact on people’s lives, our communities, and U.S. innovation when we work together. This is how we build the workforce that our nation needs.”
Source: The Siemens Foundation
About the Siemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation, founded in 1998 and based in Iselin, NJ, is a U.S. nonprofit funded by Siemens AG. It focuses on workforce development across key sectors such as manufacturing, electrification, and healthcare, with an emphasis on expanding access to training and employment for individuals from underserved communities. The Foundation supports initiatives that connect education with industry needs through technical training programs, scholarships, and partnerships with national and local organizations. Programs like ‘Everyone Charging Forward’ aim to scale existing workforce models to support community development and improve access to stable employment. Since its founding, the Foundation has committed approximately $165 million to these efforts. In 2024, it awarded $6.9 million in grants and managed around $80 million in assets. It uses its endowment and corporate contributions to fund initiatives that address barriers to economic mobility through targeted, sector-specific interventions.